Auction-style format

In an auction-style listing, sellers choose a starting price and sell to the highest bidder.

Here's how to bid on an auction-style listing:

Search or browse to find an item you'd like to buy.

Review the entire listing and decide if you want to place a bid. Some things to note are:

When it ends (always in Pacific Time)

How many bids have already been placed on the item

Amount of the current high bid

Any pictures of the item

The seller's description of the item

Payment methods and shipping costs

The seller's return policy

Enter your bid.

If you'd like to try automatic bidding, we automatically raise your bid only as much as needed for you to remain the high bidder. You can win an item for less than your maximum bid, but you can also be outbid if someone else enters a higher maximum bid.

Buy It Now

Buy It Now is the simplest way to buy on eBay. It lets you buy an item when you want it, at a fixed price.

Look for items with a Buy It Now price. Buy It Now appears next to items on category browse pages or in your search results.

If you're only looking for Buy It Now items, click the Buy It Now tab on search results or browse pages.

Compare similar items to figure out what would be a good price and what you're willing to pay.

Look at the item description and make sure you're happy with the item and the seller's terms.

Check the Buy It Now price of the item. This is the price you'll pay for the item. Also check the payment options, shipping cost, and any other additional costs that may be listed in the item description.

To purchase the item, click the Buy It Now button in the listing.

Buy It Now variations

Description

Items that only have a Buy It Now price

You can use Buy It Now to purchase the item right away.

Items that have a bid price and a Buy It Now price

You can place a bid or use Buy It Now to purchase the item immediately, before bidding starts.

Items that include a Best Offer option

If a seller offers this option, you can suggest a price that you're willing to pay for the item. Learn more about making a Best Offer.

eBay shopping cart

To add an item from a fixed price listing to your eBay shopping cart, click the Add to cart button in the listing. You can add items from the same or different sellers to your eBay shopping cart, and check out and pay for all the items in your eBay shopping cart at once. Each item will show up as a separate purchase with its own item number and the seller's user ID associated with it, exactly as it always has in My eBay. If you add multiple items from the same seller, the seller's items are grouped together in your eBay shopping cart.

Classified Ads

When you see a Classified Ad listing, it means that you deal directly with the seller and buy the item at a fixed price. Because your Classified Ad purchase is outside of eBay, you won't be able to use eBay Feedback or the eBay Money Back Guarantee.

To find Classified Ads:

Click the Advanced link at the top of the eBay home page.

Enter keywords about the type of item you're interested in.

In the Buying formats section, select the Classified ads check box.

Click the Search button at the bottom of the page.

Here's a list of items you can buy using Classified Ads:

Websites & Businesses for Sale

Internet Businesses & Websites

Manufacturing

Marketing

Patents & Trademarks

Retail & General Stores

Service Businesses

Vending & Coin-op

Wholesale Trade & Distribution

Other

Construction

Buildings, Modular & Pre-Fab

Trade Show Displays

Banner Systems & Signage

Pop-Up & Booth Displays

Tabletop & Portable Displays

Trade Show Display Accessories

Other

Real Estate

Commercial

Land

Manufactured Homes

Timeshares for Sale

Other Real Estate

Specialty Services

Artistic Services

Custom Clothing & Jewelry

eBay Auction Services

Graphic & Logo Design

Home Improvement Services

Media Editing & Duplication

Printing & Personalization

Restoration & Repair

Web & Computer Services

Other Services

Travel

Airline

Campground and RV Parks

Car Rental

Cruises

Lodging

Luggage

Maps

Rail

Travel Accessories

Vacation Packages

Other

Everything Else

eBay User Tools

Funeral & Cemetery

Information Products

Reward Pts, Incentive Progs > Other

Motors Classifieds

You can use Motors Classifieds to find vehicles close to you. This way, you can see the vehicle before buying and you don't have to worry about shipping.

As with other Classified Ads, your purchase is outside of eBay, so you won't be able to use eBay Feedback or the eBay Money Back Guarantee.

To find Motors Classifieds listings:

Click the Advanced link at the top of the eBay home page.

Enter information for the vehicle you're looking for.

In the Buying formats section, select the Classified ads check box.

Click the Search button.

Other terms

In all types of listings, including Classified Ads, sellers must treat the buyer's contact information according to our User Privacy Notice. This policy prohibits sharing the buyer's information with anyone else as well as using the buyer's information for any purpose other than communicating with the buyer about the item, unless the buyer gives express permission to do so.

Contact Customer Service

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